The main cause of darkened areolas and dark nipples are hormones. Progesterone and estrogen cause the body to produce more pigment. This is why many women see splotches and patches of darkened skin all over their bodies.
Areolas can get bigger if you gain a significant amount of weight due to the stretching of the skin. The color may also lighten. If you then lose weight, the size may not change all that much (or at all), but the color may darken somewhat.
Why do areolas change color? This is common during puberty and pregnancy when levels of estrogen are changing. Additionally, during pregnancy, the blood vessels in the areolas become more prominent, darkening the color of the areolas.
The connective tissue that supports the breasts becomes less elastic, so the breasts sag. Changes also occur in the nipple. The area surrounding the nipple (the areola) becomes smaller and may nearly disappear. The nipple may also turn in slightly.
On the areola there are some little raised bumps. These are quite normal and are called Montgomery glands. They produce fluid to moisturise the nipple. Your breasts change constantly throughout your life from puberty, through adolescence, the childbearing years, and then the menopause (change of life).
You should visit your GP if you notice any changes in the skin of your nipple or areola (the darker area of skin around the nipple). As Paget's disease is a form of breast cancer, the sooner it's diagnosed, the better the outcome is likely to be. Speak to your GP if you develop a lump in your breast.
The skin texture of the nipple is normally smooth, whereas the areola can be bumpy and pimple-like. Montgomery glands, which are responsible for lubricating the nipple and areola during lactation, are the raised areas on the areola. They may look like bumpy, white dots.
The main cause of darkened areolas and dark nipples are hormones. Progesterone and estrogen cause the body to produce more pigment. This is why many women see splotches and patches of darkened skin all over their bodies.
The color of a person's nipples do not change over time, but the areola — the circular area around the nipple — may darken in color.
Areola reduction surgery is a relatively simple day surgery procedure that can reduce the diameter of one or both of your areolas. The excess pigmented skin is simply cut away so that a smaller and more appropriately-shaped areola is left behind. The height of your nipples can also be reduced, if desired.
Both nipples and areolas (the circular skin around your nipple) come in different sizes and colors, from light pink to brownish black. The color of your nipples usually relates to your skin color. It's also totally normal to have some hairs growing around your nipples.
So, what determines the size of someone's areola? "Genetics has the biggest role in both the size, appearance, and even color of the areola," Dr. White says. Areola size is something that you inherit from your parents, just like your breast and foot size, or your freckle pattern.
It appears as a red, scaly rash on the skin of the nipple and areola. The affected skin is often sore and inflamed, and it can be itchy or cause a burning sensation. The nipple can sometimes be ulcerated. The rash is often similar in appearance to other skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis.
A lump on the areola, or area around the nipple, can occur in both males and females. A lump can be a local infection that may or may not be the result of inflammation of the breast. Although this condition is possible in males, researchers suggest that more than 95% of people with a lump on the areola are females.
Your nipples are very sensitive little organs! When they are stimulated either by touch, cold temperatures or sexual arousal, they harden (actually become erect) and part of that response is for the brown part (the areola) to shrink and wrinkle. It is kind of like a muscle contraction.
As you reach the age of 40 years and approach perimenopause, hormonal changes will cause changes to your breasts. Besides noting changes in your breasts' size, shape, and elasticity, you might also notice more bumps and lumps. Aging comes with an increased risk of breast cancer.
Menopause. After you go through menopause, your nipples may become paler in color. During this time, levels of estrogen are falling.
The breasts can enlarge after menopause due to the hormone oestrogen levels going down. When the breasts go through an " involution " process, the milk glands shut down, and the tissue is replaced with fat.
Causes of Dark Areolas
Like many pregnancy symptoms and side-effects, dark or black areolas are most likely a result of your rising levels of hormones—namely, estrogen and progesterone. These two hormones may increase the production of pigment in your skin.
Use coconut oil to naturally lighten the nipple and add moisture. Coconut oil is commonly used to make skin brighter and lighter, and it's safe for use on most skin types. Apply about 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of coconut oil to each nipple, and let it soak into the skin.
Hormone changes during the menstrual cycle may lead to breast swelling. More estrogen is made early in the cycle and it peaks just before mid-cycle. This causes the breast ducts to grow in size.
Once the hormone changes for puberty begin, breasts get bigger, and the mammary glands get ready to produce milk in the event of pregnancy. Pregnancy and breastfeeding bring more changes to your breasts. Breasts grow larger, and your nipples increase in size and may get darker in color.
Back in 2017, experts on The Doctors, a daytime medical-related talk show on America's NBC, claimed the best natural lipstick is one which matches the colour of your areolas. Turns out your top lip is the same shade as your nips.
The nipple or areola color ranging from pink to dark brown is entirely normal. It can also change due to hormonal fluctuations in the body. Your nipple or areola (dark skin around the nipple) could change during pregnancy. It can get darker, which is also quite common.